reduce inequitable access to wraparound and
other services by increasing case management
and other supports for those in emergency
accommodation. The Minister for Social
Development has said:
When we took over in terms of Government, there
were families in emergency accommodation
that were getting no active case management.
They weren’t getting the additional wraparound
supports that they needed. Many of them have
other social challenges that have contributed to
the fact that they have become homeless. And
so we need to be working fulsomely with these
families and that’s what we’re doing.54
However, we are not convinced that this type
of ‘add-on’ support adequately resolves these
human rights issues in entirety. From what we
have heard and observed, the additional case
management and other supports are welcome
additions but are still less comprehensive
than the wraparound support available in the
transitional housing system. The following
supports are now available to those in emergency
accommodation:
•
Dedicated case management
•
Flexible funding
•
Housing Brokers
•
Intensive Case Managers and Navigators
•
Ready to Rent.
We completely support more work to ensure
every resident in the emergency housing
system can access the full range of wraparound
services they need. A person living in emergency
accommodation will experience better outcomes
if they also have access to necessary social
supports such as budget advice, drug or alcohol
counselling, or housing navigator services.
48
Human Rights Commission
But this does not change the fact that commercial
accommodation suppliers and their staff – the
providers of emergency accommodation – are
not themselves equipped to provide the kind of
24/7 social services and supports that may be
required. Nor, in many cases, do they have the
necessary understanding of residents’ needs or
an ability to meet those needs as required by
human rights obligations.
Our finding on immediate obligation 1
Emergency housing as required by this obligation
must:
•
meet minimum decency standards
•
be delivered in accordance with principles of
equity, equality, and non-discrimination
•
be delivered by policies and practices that are
fair, reasonable, and proportionate
In respect of these requirements, we find this
obligation is not being met and as a result
Government is in breach of the right to a decent
home grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Most emergency accommodation, and some
transitional housing, is unsuitable for the needs
of those being housed, and does not meet
minimum decency standards. Many commercial
accommodation suppliers providing emergency
accommodation on behalf of the government are
ill-equipped to meet key human rights features
and in many cases are failing to uphold them.
Transitional housing providers are more likely to
meet decency standards and other key human
rights features, but we recommend more work
be done to ensure standards are universally
upheld and that all providers fully understand
their human rights obligations in this area. It
would be helpful to provide further education,
training, or guidance on human rights obligations
for transitional housing providers. Nonetheless,